First Coming

till men and nations were at peace.He came when the Heavens were unsteady,and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.He came when the need was deep and great.He dined with sinners in all their grime,turned water into wine. He did not wait

till heart were pure. In joy he cameto a tarnished world of sin and doubt.To a world like ours, of anguished shamehe came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.In the mystery of the Word made FLeshthe Maker of the stars was born.We cannot wit till the world is saneto raise our songs with joyful voice,for to share our grief, to touch our pain,He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

– Madeleine L’Engle

photo credit: Natalie

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent. This is the season of expectation, anticipation, preparation, longing, and yearning. We remember the longing of the ancient Israelites for the Messiah to come and we reflect on our own waiting for the second coming of Christ. Like the yearning of the Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out for a deliverer, may we continue to cry out against the injustices in out world, remembering our hope of deliverance by a God who hears and has promised to bring peace and justice to the world.